A look at the ethics of politicians promoting state tourism during election season

As a Virginian, I've always been proud of my state's motto: "Virginia is for Lovers."

The iconic slogan first appeared in a 1969 ad campaign for what is now Virginia Tourism Corporation. It was created by Martin and Woltz Inc., which later evolved into The Martin Agency, and has been in use ever since.

Initially positioning the state as a destination for romance, "Virginia is for Lovers" soon gave way to various interpretations. With so much to experience, Virginia has become a welcoming place for history lovers, food lovers, nature lovers—all kinds of lovers. That's the premise behind a new national campaign, "Virginia is for…", developed by The Martin Agency, that launched this spring.

virginia is for lovers tshirt